Nozzle support with a cap

ABSTRACT

A headlight washer device is equipped with a nozzle support, which can be adjusted in its cleaning position through an opening in the autobody. A cap for closing the opening is connected via elastic elements with the nozzle support in such a way that the cap aligns autonomously along the edge of the body opening during the retracting movement of the nozzle support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a nozzle support with a cap for a headlightwasher device, a nozzle support assembly, and a method of making nozzlesupport assembly.

The cap is arranged on the nozzle support by a ball-and-socket joint andcan thus align in the car body opening in such a way that the bodyopening in the retracted position of the nozzle support is closed withan even joint configuration and/or flush with the surface.

The task of the invention is to further develop the familiar nozzlesupport.

This task is resolved with the embodiments described as follows.

The present invention involves connecting the cap via at least oneelastic element or via at least one swiveling axis with the nozzlesupport in such a way that after each cleaning operation and thesubsequent movement of the nozzle support into its retracted position,the cap autonomously aligns along the edge of the body opening. Thisallows a tolerance compensation between the cap and the body part,independent from temperature conditions, tolerances and aging-relateddeformations of the affected polymer parts. Additionally, complexadjustment processes during the initial assembly or during repairs areeliminated because the centering of the cap in or along the body openingoccurs automatically via the elastic elements or the swivelingaxis/axes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Possible structural examples of the invention are depicted in thedrawing and are described in more detail in the following drawings whichshow:

FIG. 1 a nozzle support with the invented connection of a cap viaelastic elements, in a perspective view,

FIG. 2 the object of the FIG. 1, in a cross-sectional view,

FIG. 3 a version of a nozzle support that is comparable to those inFIGS. 1 and 2, in a perspective view,

FIG. 4 the nozzle support from FIG. 3, in an exploded view,

FIG. 5 the nozzle support from FIG. 3 in an assembled state, in aperspective view,

FIG. 6 a nozzle support with the invented connection of a cap viahelical springs, in a perspective view,

FIG. 7 another structural example of the invention, with two swivelingaxes of the cap that are arranged perpendicular to each other, in aperspective view,

FIG. 8 the structural example from FIG. 7 in a schematic view and

FIG. 9 the structural example from FIG. 7 in a sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a nozzle support 1 of a headlight washer device,which can be adjusted in the direction of the arrows 2 a and 2 b and, indoing so, penetrates an opening 3 of a body part 4 of the vehicle. Theopening 3 is for example shown in a bumper 4. The nozzle support 1contains two nozzles 5, which are supplied with a cleaning fluid viapipe 6 as well as a pipe bracket 7. Fastening devices 8 are provided onthe nozzle support 1, with the ends of these devices containingring-shaped seats 9, which mesh with the elastic elements 10. Theelastic elements 10 consist, for example, of a rubber material or anelastomer synthetic. They have an elongated shape, with a longitudinalaxis 17, and are inserted with their fastening areas 11 in the opencircular seat 9 of the nozzle support 1 in an interlocking manner. Thebase areas 13 of the elements 10 are connected via an distance plate 40with a cap 14, which closes the body opening 3 in the retracted state ofthe nozzle support 1.

When extending the nozzle support 1 in the direction of the arrow 2 a,the nozzles 5 extend beyond the outline of the bumper 4. The elasticelements 10 are designed in such a dimensionally stable manner that theymaintain the cap's 14 correct position in the extended state even athigh driving speeds and accordingly great wind pressure. Retracting ofthe nozzle support 1 in the direction of the arrow 2 b occurs until theprotruding edge 15 of the cap 14 rests along the edge 16 of the bodyopening 3 and automatically takes on a center position, as is shown anddescribed more closely with the help of FIG. 3 through 5. The elasticdeformation sections 12 of the elements 10 thus cause a tolerancecompensation in the plane of the bumper 4. Similarly, the cap 14 canalso be lowered into the opening flush with bumper's 4 surface, whereinthe centering creates an even joint configuration.

FIGS. 3 through 5 show structural examples of a nozzle support 1 wherethe cap 14 is connected with a distance plate, e.g. through gluing.Before the cap 14 and the distance plate 40 are connected, both elasticelements 10, whose base areas 13 are coupled via an element support 41,are pushed through openings 42 in the distance plate 40. The elementsupport 41 is held flush with the surface in a recess on the front ofthe distance plate 40, as the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 shows inmore detail. The elastic elements 10 with their fastening areas 11 meshwith the openings 9 of the nozzle support, similar to the depiction inFIGS. 1 and 2.

In the corner areas of the distance plate 40 centering lugs 43,respectively, with two wings 43 a and 43 b, which are aligned atapproximately right angles to each other, are provided. These wingsprotrude beyond the edge of the distance plate 40 and are arranged at adistance to the edge 15 of the cap 14 in the assembled state, as shownespecially in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 depicts the installed position of thenozzle support 1, which is inserted in an opening 3 of a bumper 4 and isaligned by the centering lugs 43 in the center of this opening 3,wherein the edge 15 of the cap 14 overlaps the edge 16 of the opening 3in the bumper 4. Notches 44 for holding the headlights, which are notshown, are located in the bumper 4 on both sides above the opening 3.

FIG. 6 shows a structural example of the invention where metallichelical springs 20 are used, instead of the elements 10 pursuant toFIGS. 1 through 5, for a cap, which is not shown here. The remainder ofthe configuration of the nozzle support 1 corresponds to the previousstructural elements. In a similar fashion, the helical springs 20 affectan autonomous centering of the cap 14 along the edge 16 of the bodyopening 3. Instead of helical springs 20, other spring elements can alsobe used, including those made of non-metallic materials.

FIGS. 7 through 9 show another structural example of the invention wherea swiveling connection of the cap 14 to the nozzle support 1 isimplemented via a vertical and a horizontal swiveling axis. Twofastening brackets 32 and 33 are provided on the back of the cap 14;these brackets contain openings, which mesh with the pins 34 and 35 of atriangular swiveling part 36. The connecting line between the pins 34and 35 defines the swiveling axis 30. In the extension of the base 37 ofthe swiveling part 36 studs 38 are provided, which establish theswiveling axis 37. The studs 38 mesh with the bearing parts 39 on thenozzle support 1. The rotational degrees of freedom of the cap 14 arealso shown by the double arrows V and H.

Due to the two swiveling axes 30 and 31, the cap 14 can be aligned withthe edge 16 of the body opening 3 during the retracting movement of thenozzle support 1, which allows a uniform support along the edge 16 to beachieved. In particular, this structural form of the invention is suitedfor such bumpers 4 or similar autobody parts 4, which do not have aneven outline, because the cap 4 can align in accordance with the shapeof the outline by the swiveling axes 30 and 31. In these cases, as shownin FIG. 9, the edge 15 of the cap 14 can have a greater protrusionbeyond the edge 16 of the body opening 3 so that dimensional deviationsin the position and/or size of the body opening 3 can certainly becompensated.

The connection of the cap 14 pursuant to FIG. 7 through 9 is suitablejust as the above-described structural forms, equally to such mountingsin which the cap 14 is immersed into an indentation of the body part 4.This allows an even joint configuration with the body opening 3 to beaccomplished. Of course, the invention also allows for alignment of suchcaps 14 without a gap in relation to a body opening 3 that rest on theedge 16 of the body opening 3 with very little protrusion, as is shownin FIG. 2. Of course, a combination of elastic elements 10 (or helicalsprings 20 or the like) and swiveling axes 30 and/or 31 is alsopossible.

What is claimed is:
 1. Nozzle support with a cap for a headlight washerdevice with at least one nozzle for cleaning the lens of a headlight ofa motor vehicle, wherein the nozzle support can be adjusted from aretracted position through a repeater movement into an extended positionand the nozzle support during this adjustment movement travels through abody opening, which in the retracted position of the nozzle support canbe closed by the cap that is moved along with the nozzle support,wherein the cap is connected via at least one elastic element with thenozzle support in such a way that the cap aligns autonomously in thebody opening or along the edge of the body opening during the retractingmovement of the nozzle support, wherein the elastic element is elongatedand is designed with a longitudinal axis that is roughly parallel to thedirection of the adjustment movement of the nozzle support and on atleast at one end section in such a way that it can be connected with aseat on the cap and/or the nozzle support.
 2. Nozzle support of claim 1,wherein an end section of the elastic element is designed as a fasteningarea, which can be inserted into a circular seat of the nozzle supportin an interlocking manner.
 3. Nozzle support of claim 1, wherein theelastic element is made of a rubber material or an elastomer synthetic.4. Nozzle support with a cap for a headlight washer device with at leastone nozzle for cleaning a lens of a headlight of a motor vehicle,wherein the nozzle support can be adjusted from a retracted positionthrough a repeater movement into an extended position and the nozzlesupport during this adjustment movement travels through a body opening,which in the retracted position of the nozzle support can be closed bythe cap that is moved along with the nozzle support, wherein the cap isconnected via at least one elastic element with the nozzle support insuch a way that the cap aligns autonomously in the body opening or alongthe edge of the body opening during the retracting movement of thenozzle support, wherein the elastic element is formed by at least onehelical spring of a metallic material whose longitudinal axis is roughlyparallel to the direction of the adjustment movement of the nozzlesupport.
 5. Nozzle support of claim 4, wherein the elastic element isconnected with a distance plate, which in turn is arranged on the cap.6. Nozzle support of claim 5, wherein the elastic element is pushedthrough an opening in the distance plate and has a base area, which iswidened in relation to its elongated body and reaches behind thedistance plate.
 7. Nozzle support with a cap for a headlight washerdevice with at least one nozzle for cleaning a lens of a headlight of amotor vehicle, wherein the nozzle support can be adjusted from aretracted position through a repeater movement into an extended positionand the nozzle support during this adjustment movement travels through abody opening, which in the retracted position of the nozzle support canbe closed by the cap that is moved along with the nozzle support,wherein the cap is connected via at least one swiveling axis with thenozzle support in such a way that the cap aligns autonomously in thebody opening or along the edge of the body opening during the retractingmovement of the nozzle support.
 8. Nozzle support of claim 7, whereinthe cap is connected with the nozzle support via two swiveling axes,which are arranged roughly vertical to each other.
 9. Nozzle support ofclaim 8, wherein at least one centering device is arranged on the capand/or on the distance plate for aligning the cap in the body opening oralong the edge of the body opening.
 10. Nozzle support of claim 1,wherein the elastic element is connected with a distance plate, which inturn is arranged on the cap.
 11. Nozzle support of claim 10, wherein theelastic element is pushed through an opening in the distance plate andhas a base area, which is widened in relation to its elongated body andreaches behind the distance plate.
 12. Nozzle support of claim 1,wherein at least one centering device is arranged on the cap and/or onthe distance plate for aligning the cap in the body opening or along theedge of the body opening.
 13. Nozzle support of claim 4, wherein atleast one centering device is arranged on the cap and/or on the distanceplate for aligning the cap in the body opening or along the edge of thebody opening.
 14. A nozzle support assembly for a headlight washer of amotor vehicle having a body opening, the assembly comprising: a nozzlesupport; a cap; and an elongated elastic element having an axis, theelongated elastic element connecting the cap to the nozzle support;wherein the assembly is moveable through the body opening between aretracted position and an extended position, and wherein at theretracted position, the elastic element allows the cap to alignautonomously with the body opening to cover the body opening, andwherein the axis is generally parallel to the direction of movement ofthe nozzle support assembly.
 15. The nozzle support assembly of claim14, wherein the elastic element has an end section having a fasteningarea that is insertable into a circular seat of the nozzle support in aninterlocking manner.
 16. The nozzle support assembly of claim 14 furthercomprising a distance plate, wherein the elastic element is connected tothe distance plate, and the distance plate is connected to the cap. 17.The nozzle support assembly of claim 14, wherein the elastic element canbe pushed through an opening of the distance plate and has a base area,which is widened in relation to its elongated body and is between thecap and the distance plate.
 18. The nozzle support assembly of claim 14further comprising a centering device arranged on at least one of thecap and the distance plate for aligning the cap with the body opening.19. A nozzle support assembly for a headlight washer of a motor vehiclehaving a body opening, the assembly comprising: nozzle support; a cap;and a helical spring having an axis, the helical spring connecting thecap to the nozzle support; wherein the nozzle support assembly ismovable through the body opening between a retracted position and anextended position, and wherein at the retracted position, the helicalspring allows the cap to align autonomously with the body opening tocover the body opening, and wherein the axis is generally parallel tothe direction of movement of the nozzle support assembly.
 20. The nozzlesupport assembly of claim 19 further comprising a distance plate,wherein the helical spring is connected to the distance plate, and thedistance plate is connected to the cap.
 21. The nozzle support assemblyof claim 19 further comprising a centering device arranged on at leastone of the cap and the distance plate for aligning the cap with the bodyopening.
 22. A nozzle support assembly for a headlight washer of a motorvehicle having a body opening, the assembly comprising: a nozzlesupport; a cap; and a swiveling axis connecting the cap to the nozzlesupport; wherein the nozzle support assembly is movable through the bodyopening between a retracted position and an extended position, andwherein at the retracted position, the swiveling axis allows the cap toalign autonomously with the body opening to cover the body opening. 23.The nozzle support assembly of claim 22 further comprising another axisconnecting the cap to the nozzle support, wherein the two swiveling axesare arranged generally vertical to each other.
 24. The nozzle supportassembly of claim 22 further comprising a centering device arranged onat least one of the cap and the distance plate for aligning the cap withthe body opening.
 25. A method of making a nozzle support assembly for aheadlight washer of a motor vehicle having a body opening, the nozzlesupport assembly being movable through the body opening between aretracted position and an extended position, the method comprising:flexibly connecting a nozzle support of the nozzle support assembly to acap of the nozzle support assembly, wherein at the retracted position,the cap can be autonomously aligned with the body opening to cover thebody opening.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein flexibly connectingthe nozzle support to the cap includes flexibly connecting the nozzlesupport to the cap using an elongated elastic element having an axisthat is generally parallel to the direction of movement of the nozzlesupport assembly.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein flexiblyconnecting the nozzle support to the cap includes flexibly connectingthe nozzle support to the cap using a helical spring having an axis thatis generally parallel to the direction of movement of the nozzle supportassembly.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein flexibly connecting thenozzle support to the cap includes flexibly connecting the nozzlesupport to the cap using a swiveling axis.